uniformitarianism

American  

[yoo-nuh-fawrm-i-tair-ee-uhn-iz-uhm] / ˌyu nəˌfɔrm ɪˈtɛər i ənˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the theory that geological or biological changes on earth have been caused by gradual, ongoing processes or local events, rather than by large-scale or global catastrophicevents such as a worldwide flood. Contrasts with catastrophism.

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uniformitarianism British  

/ ˌjuːnɪˌfɔːmɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the concept that the earth's surface was shaped in the past by gradual processes, such as erosion, and by small sudden changes, such as earthquakes, of the type acting today rather than by the sudden divine acts, such as the flood survived by Noah (Genesis 6–8), demanded by the doctrine of catastrophism

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uniformitarianism Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′nə-fôr′mĭ-târ′ē-ə-nĭz′əm /

1. The theory that all geologic phenomena may be explained as the result of existing forces having operated uniformly from the origin of the Earth to the present time.

2. See Note at Lyell

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Example Sentences

In the 1920s, mainstream geologists rigidly believed in uniformitarianism — the idea that geological features could only form over thousands or millions of years.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

It concerned the geologic principle of uniformitarianism, which states that processes we can observe can be used to interpret Earth's history.

From Scientific American • Jun. 21, 2020

Hutton’s idea is called the principle of uniformitarianism and states that natural processes operate the same now as in the past, i.e. the laws of nature are uniform across space and time.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The proposals also go against the grain of one of geology's founding principles: uniformitarianism, which states that planets are shaped by gradual, ongoing processes.

From Nature • Jan. 30, 2013

The long name of "uniformitarianism" is given to Lyell's doctrine, which has exerted an influence upon knowledge far outside the department of geology.

From The Doctrine of Evolution Its Basis and Its Scope by Crampton, Henry Edward